» 21st Annual ABC7 Gibbons 5K and 3K Walk benefiting Leukemia Research Foundation

Why I’m Running the Gibbons 5K

“It was eight years ago this December. Things were going great. Jay and I were planning our wedding in Hawaii. We were thinking about starting a family. Things couldn’t have been better. I went for standard blood work at my doctor’s office – the usual, cholesterol and thyroid, nothing exciting.

Then, I got the call that no one wants to get. There was an abnormality in my blood work. My white blood cell count was highly elevated. They retested and retested. All with the same result. I had cancer. To be more specific, leukemia – chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). For the next few months, my world was turned upside down.

After it sunk in that this was a “good” leukemia to have, I decided to change my attitude and see this as a blessing. And, truly, it has been. With my diagnosis, my friends and family’s support, I created Team Bad Blood. Team Bad Blood works to raise awareness of the Leukemia Research Foundation. The LRF’s mission is dedicated to conquering all blood cancers by funding research into their causes and cures, and enriching the quality of life of those touched by the diseases. They fund worldwide medical research, patient financial assistance and provide educational and support programs.

Today, I am still in “watch and wait” stage 1. I am using this time to be able to help raise money for the LRF so they can research and help other people. Please help me as I raise funds for this great organization. Join me and more than 2,000 Chicagoans on June 18th at the 21^st Annual ABC 7 Gibbons 5K and 3K Walk presented by Takeda Oncology!